CONCILIATION COURT.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9944, 25 January 1898, Page 5

CONCILIATION COURT.

(rRBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, January 24. In the matter of the dispute respecting seamen's and firemen's wages and conditions of labour, the Court of Arbitration to-day made the following award :—(1) That there be an increase of 10s per month in the wages of lamp trimmers, able seamen, ordinary seamen, firemen, greasers, trimmers and donkey men on all steamers used or chartered by the Northern Steamship Company's steamer Terranora, Braldwood's and McGregor's, or chartered by the above firms where such men are not receiving wages in excess of rates now current; (2) that overtime remain as at present, and tie not paid for vessels trading within extended river limits, except as hereinafter specified ; (3) that when time off is charged against overtime it shall be equivalent to the same in monetary value. Time off shall be given only at the home port or the port where a man resides ; (4) thab when excursions are ran on Sundays and stated holidays, whether within or without extended river limits, overtime shall be paid for bhe bime so employed not exceeding in alf Bs, nor less than 4s, per man ; (5) that Christmas Day, New Year's Day, the Queen's Birthday, Good Friday and Labour Day shall be stated holidays; (6) that in other respects bhe condition and remuneration of labour shall remain as ab presenb; (7) that the said firms, in employing labour, shall not discriminate against members of the Union, or shall not, in the engagement or dismissal of their hands, or in the conduct of their business, do anything directly or indirectly for the purpose of injuring the Union ; (8) that this award shall come into force on Ist February next and remain in force till February -28th, 1899 ; (9) that this award shall be the Union and its members, and upon bߧ"said firms und each of them. Messrs Leyland and O'Brien, so long as bhey pay bhe rates of wages to seamen and firemen they at presenb pay bhem, shall not be bound by it, but if they discontinue to pay such rates they shall thenceforth be bound. Mr Justice Williams said the period *of the agreement would expire on the same date as the agreement with the Union Steamship Company and the fleet sailing out of Wellington. Mr Ranson, manager of the Northern Steamship Company, asked in the event of his company not being able to carry on on the terms ordered, could they lay up any of their vessel*, and then employ men on such terms as would enable tbe * trade te> be carried on. Mr Justice Williams said that he did not know the question could arise. In all coses points continually cropped up and it was impossible to decide beforehand. Tlie Company should consult their legal advisers. Mr Ranson said the point was very likely to arise, and their legal advisers said it could be done. At a meeting of the Operative Bakers' Union a report read stated that a number of employers were not conforming to the agreement recently arranged, and alleged that some of those who had agreed were going back to the old conditions of labour. It was decided, in justice to those who conformed to the Union rules, to take the case to the Boird of Conciliation, notice to be given to those concerned that unless they comply with the Union rules and the agreement by January 29th the case will be taken to the Board ot Conciliation.